What are the goals of stem cell research?
Researching human stem cells can allow a better understanding of cell and tissue function and the process of normal human development (i.e. how age affects different cells, natural replacement of damaged cells, spreading of cancer and other diseases, etc.). By discovering how undifferentiated stem cells become differentiated tissue and organ cells, scientists can identify complex mechanisms that occur during human development. Understanding the normal process of human development is needed in order to identify any abnormal circumstances that contribute to the development of human disease. Thus, research can provide further knowledge of specific diseases and the tools to treat them. For example, stem cells may be used to study birth defects and cancers where abnormal cell division and differentiation contribute to the development of disease. Human stem cells may be used to create a successful model system for drug discovery, including the development of new testing methods for drug effi
